Interactive Swarm Space [c++, MaxMSP]

The project “Interactive Swarm Space” (ISS) explores the application of swarm simulations for the creation of interactive and immersive spaces. It aims to develop tools and strategies for establishing meaningful relationships between swarm behavior, interaction, perception, as well as musical and artistic expression.

You will find papers, documentation, videos, tutorials, images and code+applications for download at swarms.cc

The project is realized as a collaboration between the Intitute for Computer Music and Sound Technology of the Zurich University of the Arts ( ICST ) and the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the University of Zurich ( AILab ). It is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation ( SNF, Dore Section ).

Flowspace

Flowspace realizes a swarm simulations based interactive and immersive audiovisual environment. The swarm manifests itself on three different levels: as immediate and tangible visualization on an interactive surface, as a visual rendition on the installations outer boundary and as an immersive three dimensional musical projection. flowspace is an experiment that explores the establishment of relationships between the autonomy and dynamics of an artificial entity, the visitors’ action, perception and awareness and generative forms of artistic and musical expression.

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Cycles

Cycles is an interactive installation that establishes an intimate relationship between the visitor’s physical body and simulated organisms. It explores notions of transience and identity that draw inspiration from Buddhist philosophy. According to Buddhist philosophy, the concept of self and the experience of identity undergoes a continuous process of development and change. Every attempt to cling to a fixed notion of identity results in the painful experience of the four sufferings of life: the suffering of birth, aging, sickness and death. Cycles revisits this notion of identity.

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2047

2047 is a dance performance that employs an interactive swarm simulation. A video tracking system allows the dancer to control the swarm via her posture and movements. The swarm visualization is projected both on the dancer’s body and on the stage. Throughout the performance, the swarm progresses through several stages that are synchronized the choreography. 2047 was premiered at the Tanzhaus Wasserwerk in Zurich in 2009.

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Swarms

Swarms is a dance performance that employs several swarm simulations as interactive swarm simulation. A video tracking system allows the dancer to control the swarm via her posture and movements. The swarm visualization is projected both on the dancer’s body and on the stage. Throughout the performance, the swarm progresses through several stages that are synchronized the choreography. 2047 was premiered at the Tanzhaus Wasserwerk in Zurich in 2009. 2047 was choreographed by Pablo Ventura. The swarm simulation and visualisation was realized by Daniel Bisig

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We believe that in order to exploit the artistic potential of such systems, novel forms of interactivity, creativity, and aesthetics need to be found. The project builds on research in the fields of New Media and Human Computer Interaction, such as the application of self-organized systems for the creation and synchronization of acoustic and visual feedback and expression, intuitive forms of interaction that attempt to bridge the gap between artificial systems and natural spaces, and differentiated forms of immersion which engage the audience on perceptual, emotional, social and intellectual levels. The project chooses swarm simulations as a flexible and evocative prototype of a self-organized, autonomous artificial system. Our research explores the artistic potential of swarm simulations by emphasizing issues of interaction, immersion and aesthetic expression.